Still no News of Kouhyar Goodarzi

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) — Even though more than 20 days have passed since the arrest of human rights activist and journalist Kouhyar Goudarzi, there is still no information on his whereabouts. Kouhyar Goudarzi is a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR).

He was arrested on July 31st in Tehran and has not made any contact with his family since then. Additionally, his mother Parvin Mokhtare was arrested on August 1st at her home in Kerman. She is being held behind bars.

There is no news about Kouhyar Goudrzi’s condition or whereabouts. Civil rights laws and regulations state that, immediately after being arrested, the accused must be allowed to contact his/her family and let them know where he/she is being held.

Some unofficial informed sources have said that Kouhyar is being held in solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence detention centre. No official government entity has accepted responsibility for Kouhyar Goudarzi’s arrest.

On December 20, 2009, military officials arrested Kouhyar Goudarzi while he was on his way to Qom to attend Ayatollah Montazeri’s funeral. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to one year in prison and he was released on December 2010.

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHHR) expresses great concern over Kouhyar Goudarzi’s unknown status. The behaviour of [Iranian authorities] toward Kouhyar and his mother are against the law. CHHR asks that information be provided immediately on their conditions and Kouhyar’s whereabouts.

Translation: Laleh Irani
Committee of Human Rights Reporters